Tad rocked by Nightmare day

Tadcaster Albion’s season came back to earth with a bump on Saturday in a frustrating afternoon at Basford United.

The Brewers crashed 5-3 to their third-placed hosts, who remain unbeaten since the arrival of former England international Lee Hendrie.

Manager Paul Marshall was furious at the day’s events.

“It was one of those days when everything transpired against us.” he said.

Marshall’s plans were ripped apart minutes before the team’s journey south when he received confirmation from the West Riding County FA that Denny Ingram and Richard Batley were both suspended for the clash.

Matters worsened when defender Matt Sparkes headed into his own net five minutes in, before Basford raced into a 4-0 lead.

Injuries to Will Pepper and top goalscorer Carl Stewart extended troubles before a second-half 21-man brawl soured Marshall’s mood further.

Tad’ goalkeeper Leon Wrigglesworth saw red for his part in the stoppage as both sides were reduced to ten men.

A late brace from teenager Mitch Hamilton almost spared the nightmare day but Jamie Williamson missed a last-ditch chance to equalise before United sealed the points with a fifth.

“The day started badly and then finished badly,” he said.

“I am absolutely fuming with the West Riding FA. Our last game was on the 21st and we got told on January 4.

“If I had set off 15 minutes later we would have played them both and got fined or docked points.

“It screwed all our plans up. We had to change things around and unfortunately it didn’t go too well.”

Striker Danny Critchlow went between the sticks after Wrigglesworth’s dismissal. After his sending-off, the ‘keeper refuted he had done anything wrong.